Detailing guide - what's needed & what to do.

[Nova2k7]

Great write-up. I have a few questions...

How often do you clay bar? Do you also wax on the days the car is cleaned but you haven't used the clay bar??

Presume you only polish after using the clay bar?

Do you recommend any products for cleaning exhaust tips and maintaining the leather, and what tools/materials do you use?

Any tips on removing tar spots? I have tar remover, turtle wax I think, but some require severe rubbing, which I don't like.

Thanks

Neil

How often do you clay bar? Do you also wax on the days the car is cleaned but you haven't used the clay bar??

if i was only looking to quickly wash i wouldnt do this, it depends on how bad the tar has built up on the lower sills. i would always do this before any machine work however

Do you recommend any products for cleaning exhaust tips and maintaining the leather, and what tools/materials do you use?

in terms of leather care anything from this site is excellent
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/leather-care/cat_112.html
most come with their own "tools" to get the job done.

Any tips on removing tar spots? I have tar remover, turtle wax I think, but some require severe rubbing, which I don't like.

in terms of this i would use this product
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=726

 

[StevenH72]

How often do you clay bar? Do you also wax on the days the car is cleaned but you haven't used the clay bar??

if i was only looking to quickly wash i wouldnt do this, it depends on how bad the tar has built up on the lower sills. i would always do this before any machine work however

Sorry if this is a really obvious question, but say a weekly quick wash would literally be: Rinse --> Wash --> Dry.

Then maybe go with the Clay, Polish and Wax maybe once a month?

 

[robbie]

How often do you clay bar? Do you also wax on the days the car is cleaned but you haven't used the clay bar??

if i was only looking to quickly wash i wouldnt do this, it depends on how bad the tar has built up on the lower sills. i would always do this before any machine work however

Sorry if this is a really obvious question, but say a weekly quick wash would literally be: Rinse --> Wash --> Dry.

Then maybe go with the Clay, Polish and Wax maybe once a month?

You only need to clay once every 6 months. If you use good wax it won't need to be that often either.

 

[Stuart Truman]

Any tips on removing tar spots? I have tar remover, turtle wax I think, but some require severe rubbing, which I don't like.

in terms of this i would use this product
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=726

I thought iron-x was used to clear metallic contaminants?

I use Tardis for tar deposits and Iron-X on the wheels

Tardis from here
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/autosmart-tardis-cat6.html

 

[StevenH72]

You only need to clay once every 6 months. If you use good wax it won't need to be that often either.

Would you also only polish and wax once every since months?

 

[robbie]

You only need to clay once every 6 months. If you use good wax it won't need to be that often either.

Would you also only polish and wax once every since months?

If you correct the paint well the first time then keep it in good condition - no need to polish!

 

[vanilla]

What do you use for the windscreen, inner and outer? Normal Shampoo or a specific cleaner?

 

[robbie]

What do you use for the windscreen, inner and outer? Normal Shampoo or a specific cleaner?

Glass cleaner, I have some from Auto Finesse that's pretty good

 

[Nova2k7]

What do you use for the windscreen, inner and outer? Normal Shampoo or a specific cleaner?

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/autoglym-fast-glass/prod_747.html

 

[domsz4]

i did mine by hand.
i spent <150 on stuff
i read this guide and took onboard the comments.
it took a chuffing age to do as i didnt rush just took my time to get the hang of bits and learn.
The results are more than a spruce. i dont think you need to go on a course to do what i did. youtube/reading stuff/asking questions and just getting on was enough.

yes a DA may have made it faster. it may also be smoother. but i doubt by much. the difference between just after it was washed and just after i had put the sealer on was tremendous and well worth the effort.

 

[robbie]

i did mine by hand.
i spent <150 on stuff
i read this guide and took onboard the comments.
it took a chuffing age to do as i didnt rush just took my time to get the hang of bits and learn.
The results are more than a spruce. i dont think you need to go on a course to do what i did. youtube/reading stuff/asking questions and just getting on was enough.

yes a DA may have made it faster. it may also be smoother. but i doubt by much. the difference between just after it was washed and just after i had put the sealer on was tremendous and well worth the effort.

Depends how much correction is required, there comes a point where polishing by hand just won't do what you need

 

[Bing]

You can use water with a small amount of fairy liquid this will help strip the old wax off & prep the surface for new polish & wax. Iam sure you will get some expert that will tell you different but it works fine.

stay away from washing up liquid! it contains salt, which is an abrasive!

What do you use to get all the old polish and wax off prior to claying Nova ?

 

[Nova2k7]

You can use water with a small amount of fairy liquid this will help strip the old wax off & prep the surface for new polish & wax. Iam sure you will get some expert that will tell you different but it works fine.

stay away from washing up liquid! it contains salt, which is an abrasive!

What do you use to get all the old polish and wax off prior to claying Nova ?

it really depends on the shampoo you use really, i washed and waxed mine last week. today ive washed it again using autoglym shampoo and even after a wash and dry there is still plenty beading left! wouldn't worry too much about removing old wax before claying, just make sure the car is clean and the panel is well lubricated!

 

[Mark-Z4]

Do many people use a DA? I've always done it by hand. Any correction has been in a certain area rather than a whole car.

I haven't bought one for a couple reasons, I don't know if it would get the use as I've always had cars with good paint and I'd probably burn through on my first go :lol:

 

[the cueball]

What do you use to get all the old polish and wax off prior to claying Nova ?

claying will get rid of old polish.... :wink: :wink: :wink:

I would suggest that a tar remover and fall out remover is used before the claying stage mind you....

No glory in manky, dirty clay!

 

[Nanu]

Great cleaning guide and at last someone who has explained the 2 bucket method. I have seen it mentioned butnever understood what it was. Common sense really. However any tips re keeping polish off the trim or removing it once it's on?

 

[Nova2k7]

Great cleaning guide and at last someone who has explained the 2 bucket method. I have seen it mentioned butnever understood what it was. Common sense really. However any tips re keeping polish off the trim or removing it once it's on?

Thanks for the comment! In terms of not getting polish on trim it's always best to use making tape to tape up your platics! I've often found that if I do get some on plastic trim try remove it as quick as possible! Although there is t much plastic on a Z lol

 

[Nova2k7]

Thought i would bump this seen as the nice weather is coming and people may be rushing out to wash their P&J

 

[Luke the spark]

Brilliant guide
Thanks for taking the time to write it, would have taken me about a year to write that much
When ever I go Into halfords there is such a large choice and never know what was the correct product
But I'll get the gear from that website you recommend

Luke

 

[Nova2k7]

Brilliant guide
Thanks for taking the time to write it, would have taken me about a year to write that much
When ever I go Into halfords there is such a large choice and never know what was the correct product
But I'll get the gear from that website you recommend

Luke

Thanks for this Luke really good to know its helping you! when it comes to products there really is millions lol!